Another blow for SA

SYDNEY — The Proteas’ wobbly World Cup campaign was dumped in further chaos yesterday after news that JP Duminy will probably miss the next two group matches.

The versatile all-rounder from Cape Town suffered a side muscle injury in the South Africans’ humiliating 130-run defeat by India on Sunday and will not play against the West Indians tomorrow.

While the Proteas team management still has to announce news of his injury, sister newspaper Beeld has learnt that Duminy has suffered a grade 1 tear which will keep him out for 10 days.

He only bowled a few deliveries in the nets during the Proteas’ first full practice in Sydney before he had to stop as a result of the pain and discomfort.

Duminy (30) underwent a scan soon afterwards during which the tear was confirmed. He could not take part in the team’s practice session yesterday, which was held at the indoor nets as a result of rain. His injury happened after Vernon Philander also landed on the injury list with a thigh muscle tear.

Philander was also injured at the MCG and could only bowl four overs before leaving the field.

The 29-year-old seamer is at present locked in a race against time to recover before for the game against Ireland.

Duminy has so far been one of the few Proteas stars at the World Cup.

His innings of 115* — and partnership of 256 with David Miller — rescued South Africa from an awkward position in their first match against Zimbabwe.

He also boasts bowling figures of 1/45 in eight overs during that match.

While Duminy could only score six runs in Melbourne, his 0/39 (in seven overs) was one of the most economic figures in India’s total of 307/7.

The latest setback means that Farhaan Behardien will possibly return to the starting line-up, while Wayne Parnell could also be retained — despite his dismal bowling performance against India.

The Indians scored 85 runs against Parnell during his nine overs on Sunday — the most expensive figures yet by a South African during a World Cup match.

Behardien will probably replace Duminy while the Free State left hander Rilee Rossouw should get his first chance to play and strengthen the batting list.

His inclusion could, however, mean that Behardien and Proteas captain AB de Villiers may have to share the services of a fifth bowler against a very dangerous batting attack which includes Chris Gayle.

Gayle became the first batsman ever to score a double century in a World Cup match.

De Villiers has only taken three wickets for the Proteas while Behardien was hit for 40 runs in five wicketless overs against Zimbabwe.

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